Abstract: A urethane adhesive is used on the threads of a preassembled graphite furnace electrode nipple to maintain the nipple in its exact pre-set position during shipment and assembly on the furnace. The urethane adhesive does not prevent intentional disassembly should that be necessary before or after the electrode is put in service on a furnace and because it totally volatilizes in service it does not interfere with the thermal expansion relief provided by the clearances intentionally designed into the nipple threads and the mating threads of the electrode socket.